Our Director
Andrea Quinn is an accomplished music educator, performer, and arts leader whose impact on South Carolina’s music community spans more than two decades. Recognized for building programs of excellence and fostering student achievement at the highest levels across multiple disciplines, she combines visionary leadership with passionate teaching and active performance. Her career reflects a deep commitment to musical artistry, educational growth, and service—empowering students, colleagues, and communities through the transformative power of music. Quinn has been selected as the 2026 Region III 6-8 Orchestra Conductor.
Quinn joined the Fine Arts faculty at West Ashley High School in 2025 as Director of Orchestras and Piano. She has served as a change agent for the school by writing grants, securing high-quality educational materials, and providing enriching musical experiences for students. Enrollment in both programs has nearly doubled in just one year, and students have already been selected for prestigious honors, including Region IV Orchestras, Superior ratings at the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) Piano Festivals, and performances at the SC State Honors Piano Recital and Masterclass.
Recognized for building programs of excellence and fostering student achievement at the highest levels across multiple disciplines, she combines visionary leadership with passionate teaching and active performance. Her career reflects a deep commitment to musical artistry, educational growth, and service—empowering students, colleagues, and communities through the transformative power of music.
Prior to her appointment at West Ashley High School, Quinn taught at James Island Charter High School from 2007 to 2025, where she served as Director of Orchestras and Piano and as Fine Arts Department Chair from 2015 to 2023. Her tenure was marked by significant enrollment growth, expanded course offerings, and the establishment of the JICHS Piano and Musical Theatre programs. The Orchestra program expanded to include multiple ensembles and, as recently as 2025, earned Superior ratings at the SCMEA Concert Performance Assessment.
Quinn established the JICHS Piano Program in 2008, developing it into one of South Carolina’s largest and most successful non-magnet piano programs. Under her leadership, students consistently earned Superior ratings at SCMEA Piano Festivals and were regularly selected to perform at the prestigious SC State Honors Piano Recitals and Masterclass. Most recently, the JICHS Advanced Piano students were selected to perform at the 2024 South Carolina Music Educators Association Annual Conference.
In July 2024, Quinn was invited to present a session titled “Best Practices in the Group Piano Setting” at the Lang Lang International Foundation’s Keys of Inspiration Convention. She later co-presented a re-booted session by the same title with Mr. Bill Gesin at the 2025 SCMEA Professional Development Conference to teachers from across SC.
In addition to her instructional roles, Quinn served as Secretary of the JICHS Board of Directors from 2021 to 2025, chaired numerous committees dedicated to advancing school initiatives, was recognized multiple times as a finalist for Teacher of the Year. She currently serves as Past President of the SCMEA Piano Division, where she has held leadership roles since 2020 and continues to support and advance piano education throughout South Carolina.
Quinn began her teaching career at Palmetto Middle School in Miami, Florida, where she taught Strings, Chorus, and Guitar from 2001 to 2005. During her tenure, she tripled enrollment in the school’s music program.
Quinn holds an Educational Leadership Specialist degree from the University of New England (2023), a Master of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina (2007), and a Bachelor of Music Education degree with dual principals in piano and cello from the University of Miami (2001). Her principal teachers include Dr. Robert Jesselson (cello), Dr. Ross Harbaugh (cello), and Dr. Teresa Escandón (piano). She also served as a Graduate Assistant with the USC String Project. A Dutch Fork High School alumna, she studied under educators Paul Scott and Maurice Hood.
An active performer, Quinn appears regularly in both classical and improvisational settings on cello throughout the Lowcountry. Her conducting experience includes serving as Guest Conductor for the Berkeley and Beaufort All-County Middle School Orchestras, as a clinician for the South Carolina Cello Choir’s Large Cello Choir event, and as an adjudicator for several performance assessments.
Quinn is a devoted member of James Island Presbyterian Church, where she serves as an Elder on Session, sings in the Chancel Choir, co-directs the Elementary Choir, and performs as the church’s resident cellist. She and her husband, John Quinn, have been married since 2017 and enjoy international travel, spending time with their two nieces and nephew, and doting on their two beloved dogs, Fiona and Harley Quinn.
